Duluth, MN Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Host presence
- Required whenever guests are present
- Maximum stay
- 29 consecutive nights
- Overnight guests
- Max 4, plus owner occupants
- Bedrooms rentable
- Max 2
- Listings per night
- One per property
Summary
Duluth requires a permanent resident to generally be present whenever an accessory home share is occupied by guests. Unified Development Chapter § 50-20.5.H.7 also caps stays at 29 nights, four guests, and two rented bedrooms.
2. Rental Period. ... The rental or purchase period shall be for 29 consecutive nights or less; 3. Guests and Rooms. The maximum number of overnight guests allowed is 4 persons in addition to the owner occupants. The maximum number of bedrooms that may be rented may not exceed two. Only bedrooms are allowed to be rented; all other space in the unit such as living and kitchen areas shall be shared common space with the owner occupants. Only one rental listing per night is allowed; ... ... 7. Residency. At least one permanent resident must be generally present on or about the premises at all times that the property is rented and occupied by the guests;
Full Breakdown
7 requires that at least one permanent resident be generally present on or about the premises at all times that an accessory home share property is rented and occupied by guests, meaning the owner-occupant cannot simply hand over the whole home and leave while paying guests stay there. 2-3: the rental or purchase period is capped at 29 consecutive nights or less, keeping the home share below Minnesota's typical 30-day threshold for longer-term tenancy protections, and the property may host no more than four overnight guests in addition to the owner occupants, with a maximum of two bedrooms rented.
Only bedrooms may be rented; shared spaces like the kitchen and living areas must remain common space used by the owner occupants and guests together, reinforcing that guests are staying alongside a present host rather than in an independent unit. Only one rental listing per night is allowed for the property, and a permit holder may not advertise a home share out of a storage shed, garage, or any accessory structure without a principal dwelling.
Violations & Fines
Renting out an accessory home share without a permanent resident present, or exceeding the guest, bedroom or night limits, violates § 50-20.5.H and is a specifically listed violation under § 50-39.1.A.12 (unauthorized use of an accessory home share). Under § 50-39.4, the property owner and any violator are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined as set in City Code § 1-7 or § 12-6, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the host have to be home during a Duluth home share stay?
How long can guests stay at a Duluth accessory home share?
How many guests and bedrooms are allowed in a Duluth home share?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
Compare Duluth to another location·View the Minnesota short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.